Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "bearers" often refers to individuals tasked with carrying or transporting objects, particularly those of religious or ceremonial significance. The role of bearers is highlighted in various passages, emphasizing their importance in the execution of divine instructions and the maintenance of sacred traditions.
Ark of the Covenant BearersOne of the most significant roles of bearers in the Bible is associated with the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark, a sacred chest containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments, was central to Israelite worship and represented the presence of God among His people. The Levites, specifically the Kohathites, were designated as the bearers of the Ark.
Numbers 4:15 states, "When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their implements, the camp is to set out, and the Kohathites are to come and carry them, but they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die."
The transportation of the Ark was to be conducted with utmost reverence and according to specific divine instructions. In
1 Chronicles 15:15 , it is recorded, "And the Levites carried the Ark of God on their shoulders with poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD." This method of carrying the Ark underscored the sanctity of the object and the seriousness of the bearers' duty.
Temple BearersBearers also played a crucial role in the construction and service of the Temple. During the reign of King Solomon, bearers were involved in the building of the Temple in Jerusalem.
1 Kings 5:15 notes, "Solomon had seventy thousand porters and eighty thousand stonecutters in the mountains." These bearers, or porters, were responsible for transporting materials necessary for the Temple's construction, highlighting their contribution to this monumental project.
Symbolic and Spiritual ImplicationsThe concept of bearing extends beyond the physical act of carrying objects. It holds symbolic and spiritual implications, particularly in the New Testament. Believers are called to bear one another's burdens as an expression of love and community.
Galatians 6:2 instructs, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This passage emphasizes the spiritual duty of Christians to support and uplift each other, reflecting the communal aspect of faith.
Furthermore, the notion of bearing is linked to the call to discipleship. Jesus speaks of bearing one's cross as a metaphor for the sacrifices and challenges inherent in following Him. In
Matthew 16:24 , Jesus declares, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." This call to bear one's cross signifies a commitment to live according to Christ's teachings, even in the face of adversity.
ConclusionThe role of bearers in the Bible, whether in the literal sense of carrying sacred objects or in the metaphorical sense of bearing spiritual responsibilities, underscores the themes of obedience, service, and community. Through their actions, bearers contribute to the fulfillment of God's purposes and the edification of His people.
Greek
941. bastazo -- to take up, carry... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition to take up, carry NASB Word Usage bear
(8),
bearers (1), bearing (1), bore (1), borne (1), carried (2), carried
...Strong's Hebrew
5449. sabbal -- burden bearer... 5448, 5449. sabbal. 5450 . burden bearer. Transliteration: sabbal Phonetic
Spelling: (sab-bawl') Short Definition:
bearers. Word
...5375. nasa -- to lift, carry, take
... take NASB Word Usage accept* (3), accepted* (1), advanced (1), anything been taken
(1), arises (1), assisted (1), bear (61), bearer (17),bearers (2), bearing...
Library
That one of the Cross-Bearers, who Fled from his Post, was Slain...
... Book II. Chapter IX."That One of the Cross-Bearers, who fled from his Post, was
slain: while Another, who faithfully stood his Ground, was preserved....
Martin Causes theBearers of a Dead Body to Stop.
... Sulpitius Severus On the Life of St. Martin. Chapter XII. Martin causes
theBearers of a Dead Body to stop. Now, it came to pass...
Duties of Church Office-Bearers.
... Homily III. Chapter LXVII."Duties of Church Office-Bearers. "It is necessary,
therefore, that the Church, as a city built upon...
That Tale-Bearers are Accursed.
... Third Book. 110. That tale-bearers are accursed. In Ecclesiasticus, in Solomon:
"The talebearer and the double-tongued is accursed...
The Extraordinary Teachers of the Apostolic Church; and Its...
... CHAPTER II. THE EXTRAORDINARY TEACHERS OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH; AND ITS
ORDINARY OFFICE-BEARERS, THEIR APPOINTMENT, AND ORDINATION....
Constantine Commands the Sign of the Cross to be Carried Before...
... Book I. Chapter IV."Constantine commands the Sign of the Cross to be carried before
him in Battle; an Extraordinary Narrative about theBearers of the Sign...
Ye have Given no Heed to False Teachers.
... Ye, therefore, as well as all your fellow-travellers, are God-bearers, temple-bearers,
Christ-bearers,bearers of holiness, adorned in all respects with the...
Having Called a Council, the High Priests and Scribes Annas and...
... And Jesus going in, and the standard-bearers holding their standards, the
tops of the standards were bent down, and adored Jesus....
Epistle Xlviii. To Columbus, Bishop .
... Now thebearers of these presents, Constantius and Mustellus, have in a petition
presented to us given us to understand, and the deacons of the Church of...
Christ's Authority to Forgive
... of the incident, and is recognised expressly in the narrative by Christ's notice
of their 'faith.' We can fancy the blank looks of the fourbearers, and the...
Thesaurus
Bearers (11 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Bearers (11 Occurrences). Luke 7:14 He came near
and touched the coffin, and the
bearers stood still. He
...Cup-bearers (7 Occurrences)
Cup-bearers. Cupbearers, Cup-bearers. Cupboard . Multi-Version
Concordance Cup-bearers (7 Occurrences). Genesis 40:2...
Burden-bearers (4 Occurrences)
Burden-bearers. Burden, Burden-bearers. Burdened . Multi-Version
Concordance Burden-bearers (4 Occurrences). 1 Kings...
Rod-bearers (2 Occurrences)
Rod-bearers. Ro'danim, Rod-bearers. Rode . Multi-Version Concordance
Rod-bearers (2 Occurrences). Acts 16:35 And day...
Armor-bearers (2 Occurrences)
Armor-bearers. Armorbearers, Armor-bearers. Armory . Multi-Version
Concordance Armor-bearers (2 Occurrences). 1 Samuel...
Bearer (23 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 2 Samuel 23:37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armorbearers
to Joab the son of Zeruiah, (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Ministry (44 Occurrences)
... but perhaps the better term is the prophetic ministry; while to the other class
belong all the names which are given to denote office-bearers in the local...
Overwhelmed (33 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 10:5 and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the
attendance of his ministers, and their clothing, and his cupbearers, and his...
Living (3112 Occurrences)
... In Ezekiel's vision they seem to be thebearers of the throne and glory of God;
thebearers of His presence and of His revelation (Ezekiel 9:3; Ezekiel 10:3...
Laborers (19 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 34:13 Also they were over thebearers of burdens, and set forward all
who did the work in every manner of service: and of the Levites there were...
Resources
What is an armor-bearer? Should there be a church position of armor-bearer? | GotQuestions.orgAre the “angels” of the churches in Revelation 1-3 real angels, or are they human messengers? | GotQuestions.orgWho was David in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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